cannabisnews.com: Judge Blasts Drug War at Marijuana Rally Judge Blasts Drug War at Marijuana Rally Posted by CN Staff on May 03, 2003 at 18:28:47 PT By Martin Griffith, Associated Press Source: Associated Press Reno, Nev. -- A Superior Court judge sharply criticized the drug war and renewed his call for the decriminalization of marijuana at a pro-marijuana rally Saturday. Judge James Gray of Orange County, Calif., said the drug war has cost billions of dollars and resulted in the United States having the world's highest incarceration rate - with no end in sight to rampant drug abuse. The former federal prosecutor said he has never smoked marijuana, but supports the strictly controlled distribution of pot to adults. "We have made an illness into a plague. (This is) a failed and hopeless system," Gray said. "I believe people should be entitled to do what they want to their bodies, but that they should be held accountable," he added. Gray, 58, a lifelong Republican until he became a Libertarian earlier this year, has been a judge for 19 years. He's the author of "Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It." More than 60 people attended the "Rally for Cannabis Liberation" at Reno's Idlewild Park. The rally was sponsored by Cures not Wars, a pro-marijuana group that was to hold similar rallies around the country this weekend. Group spokeswoman Michelle Buck of Reno said the purpose of the rally was to raise awareness that tens of thousands of Americans are in prisons for non-violent drug crimes. Of particular concern, she said, are thousands who have been arrested for legally or illegally supplying medical marijuana. Some people held signs that read "Free Ed Rosenthal." The Oakland, Calif., man's arrest last year was among a string of federal raids of medical marijuana suppliers in California. A 1970 federal law does not recognize any medical purposes for marijuana. A federal judge refused in January to allow Rosenthal to tell jurors he was operating under state law. Jurors convicted Rosenthal. When they learned the details they were not told during the trial, several jurors said they regretted their verdict. "We're here to show our support for people like Ed," Buck said. "Marijuana is not the evil drug the federal government has made it out to be." In November, Nevada voters rejected a measure to legalize possession of up to three ounces of marijuana by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent. Gray, appointed by Gov. George Deukmejian to the bench, was the keynote speaker at a Libertarian Party of Nevada dinner Saturday night in Virginia City. Complete Title: California Judge Blasts Drug War at Pro-Marijuana Rally in RenoSource: Associated PressAuthor: Martin Griffith, Associated PressPublished: Saturday, May 03, 2003Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Judge James Grayhttp://www.judgejimgray.com/Cures Not Warshttp://www.cures-not-wars.org/Million Marijuana Marchhttp://www.millionmarijuanamarch.comCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by afterburner on May 04, 2003 at 12:43:59 PT: 1970? A 1970 federal law does not recognize any medical purposes for marijuana. 1970? A lot of scientific and medical research has done in the last 33 years. Why are the courts still saddled with this antique law? It's the new millennium: let's get up-to-date.ego transcendence follows ego destruction, and suddenly there is no problem. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 03, 2003 at 19:57:12 PT Million Marijuana March 2003 News Page Hi Everyone!I've started this years page on the Marches. I will try to add news article at least once a day. I will add links and pictures when they become available. I hope everyone had a great time!http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/million.htm [ Post Comment ] Post Comment